“This is just an extension of our friendship,” Engels said. “It’s a way for us to be together, do something constructive, and laugh a lot.”Several times a month, Engels and Dell – who both live in suburban LaGrange – deliver pallets of food to pantries and other programs within the Food Depository’s network. It began in 2005 when a friend of Dell’s son, a then-employee of the Food Depository, told him the organization needed volunteers to help make holiday deliveries. “I love to drive,” said Dell, 69. “You could give me anything, if I can drive, I’ll do it all day. And I like getting around the city of Chicago.”
Paul Dell
Bill Engels
“We always view ourselves as the Food Depository to the community,” he said.Engels also takes pride in it. He said he often feels like he gets more out of the experience than he gives. He gets to be a “doer of good.” “I can help this organization be good, and I can carry those ideas to people,” he said. “It’s important that people don’t feel like they’re existing because of us – that’s not what’s happening here. You deserve the opportunity to eat, be well-fed and have people do acts of kindness for you, that’s all.” For those interested in giving back, sign up for a volunteer session at the Food Depository. Or, to help out closer to home, find a partner site near you by using our Find Food Map and ask about volunteer opportunities.